Dermot weighs up option of turning ‘pro’

Dermot McElroy has made it through to the last two days of the Northern Ireland Open. PItcure: Press Eye.

Published:11:00Sunday 07 September 2014

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Dermot McElroy is planning several weeks of hard work before he embarks on the next step of his bid to turn professional.

The Ballymena golfer believes he has a lot of work still to do before he begins Qualifying School for the European Tour after he was left disappointed with his performance in last week’s Northern Ireland Open at Galgorm Castle.

McElroy succeeded where plenty of professional players failed, by making the cut at Galgorm, but two closing round of three over par meant he finished 60th in an event where he finished in the top 10 last year.

“I didn’t play well in any of the rounds to be honest,” said Dermot who had opened with a four under 67.

“The bad thing was the putting left me for the last three rounds. I literally did not hole a putt.

“The first thing I will do is go to see my coach Michael McGee to get things sorted out with my swing,” said Dermot.

“Then I see what happens at the first stage of Q School and take it from there.

“I would like to turn professional in next year or so, but I have to make sure I have the support in place to do so.

“In saying that I wasn’t bad tee to green. I could have shot four or five under but the putter went cold, ice cold.

“The course is in great shape and it suits my eye. It’s just a pity I was driving it sideways and playing out of the rough all day.

“I would like to be have competed here but the putter left me and then the game did as well.”